NPR News Now – 12-12-2025 3PM EST

Host: Louise Schiavone
Date: December 12, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode provides a concise roundup of the hour’s top national and international news. Major stories include flood recovery in Washington state, new restrictions on Head Start applications, ongoing diplomatic tensions concerning Ukraine, Wall Street’s downturn, a controversial presidential pardon, and significant labor and religious events in Italy and Mexico.

Key News Segments and Insights

1. Flood Recovery Efforts in Washington State

[00:15 – 00:57]

• National Guard Response: Guard members are going door-to-door to evacuate homes in agricultural communities hit hard by flooding.
• Cleanup Concerns:
  • Casey Martin (NPR): “We saw huge logs floating down the river, even a couple of power poles… People are really worried about downed power lines and just getting around and then also just getting home and finding, you know, in what state their farm is going to be in, what state their home is going to be in.” [00:32]
  • Past floods have closed major highways for several days.
• Public Sentiment: Anxiety prevails regarding property status and infrastructure recovery.

2. Head Start Funding Controversy: Banned Words

[00:57 – 01:52]

• New Restrictions: The Trump administration requires nearly 200 words, including “accessible,” “black,” “minority,” “women,” and “disabilities,” to be removed from Head Start grant applications.
• Legal Challenge: Several Head Start programs are suing, claiming the ban violates Congressional intent for the program which serves diverse and disabled children.
• Significance:
  • Cory Turner (NPR): “Head Start plays a key role in helping young children with disabilities, though the list also includes the word disabilities.” [01:48]
• Memorable Moment: The restriction’s impact includes even such fundamental terms as those describing the children the program exists to serve.

3. Diplomatic Pressure on Ukraine

[01:52 – 02:49]

• Next Round of Talks: Delegates gather in Paris while the U.S. pressures Ukraine to cede Donbas to Russia.
• Ukrainian Position:
  • Public polls show fierce opposition to territorial concessions.
  • President Zelensky is considering a public referendum, despite constitutional bans on wartime elections.
  • Support from Europe is declining financially.
  • Ukrainian Lawmaker, Ivana Klimpushtinsata: “Just to give in to the aggressor, that is not something that we can agree upon after what we have gone.” [02:32]
• Notable Point: The U.S. shift in favor has amplified Ukrainian uncertainties amid waning European aid.

4. Wall Street Decline

[02:49 – 03:27]

• S&P 500 Slide:
  • On track for its worst day in three weeks, led by a tech sector drop.
  • Broadcom’s weak forecast dragged down Nvidia, Oracle, and tech stocks in general.
• Impact: The market correction highlights fragility amid tech sector volatility.

5. Trump Issues Inconsequential Pardon to Tina Peters

[03:27 – 04:09]

• About Tina Peters: Former Mesa County, Colorado clerk convicted for improper access to voting machines post-2020 election; currently serving a state sentence.
• Presidential Pardon Claim: Trump declares a full pardon for Peters on social media, although legally, he cannot pardon state convictions.
• Political Response:
  • Benta Berkland (Colorado Public Radio): “Democrats point out that she was convicted by a jury of her peers in a Republican part of Colorado.” [04:01]
  • Trump frames Peters as a patriot, maintaining her innocence.
• Notable Moment: The story calls attention to legal and political realities of presidential pardon powers.

6. Major Labor and Religious Events Abroad

[04:09 – 04:53]

• Italy:
  • Nationwide strike disrupted transportation, health, and school services in protest against government budget plans.
  • Railways were particularly affected.
• Mexico:
  • The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe drew thousands to Mexico City’s basilica, featuring traditional music, candles, and bottle rockets.
  • Pilgrims prayed for health and commemorated the appearance of the Virgin of Guadalupe in 1531.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “We saw huge logs floating down the river, even a couple of power poles… People are really worried about downed power lines and just getting around and then also just getting home and finding, you know, in what state their farm is going to be in, what state their home is going to be in.”

  • Casey Martin, NPR [00:32]

• “Head Start plays a key role in helping young children with disabilities, though the list also includes the word disabilities.”

  • Cory Turner, NPR [01:48]

• “Just to give in to the aggressor, that is not something that we can agree upon after what we have gone.”

  • Ivana Klimpushtinsata, Ukrainian Lawmaker [02:32]

• “Democrats point out that she was convicted by a jury of her peers in a Republican part of Colorado.”

  • Benta Berkland, Colorado Public Radio [04:01]

Structured Timeline of Key Segments

• 00:15: Flood evacuation in Washington state
• 00:57: Head Start word ban lawsuit
• 01:52: Ukraine pressured on Donbas at Paris talks
• 02:49: S&P 500 tech-driven decline
• 03:27: Trump’s controversial pardon announcement for Tina Peters
• 04:09: Italy’s national strike and Mexico’s Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration

This episode delivers a rapid yet thorough update on pressing stories in U.S. domestic policy, global affairs, the economy, and cultural happenings, balancing journalistic clarity with firsthand reporting and direct quotes.